Printing machine for label strip, or the like

ABSTRACT

A printing machine for printing information on a label strip, or the like, which machine comprises: a holder for supporting a rolled label strip; a printing device for printing information on the label strip; a platen for pressing the label strip against the type face of the printing device; an advancing device which advances the label strip toward the printing device; and a winding device to wind the printed label strip. The printing machine of this invention is able to print indicia, such as bar code characters, clearly and quickly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a printing machine, which is used for printingdesired information, such as bar codes, on a strip of labels, tickets,tags or the like. The printing machine is preferably portable and desktype.

In known label printing systems, prices, shop numbers, production dates,and other information about various commodities are printed on labels,tickets, tags, or the like (hereinafter referred to as labels) byprinting machines installed in supermarkets or department stores. Theprinted labels are attached to the commodities to be sold. The printedlabels provide information to the customers about commodities to bepurchased and also provide information to the store clerks for countingand totalizing of commodities. When they are capable of being read withthe naked eye, the accuracy and clarity of printed indicia are regardedas satisfactory for the above purposes.

In recent years, a computerized POS (point of sale) system has beenadopted in large supermarkets for foods and other household goods.Information about the commodities being sold is indicated by bar codesimprinted directly on the casings, boxes or bags of commodities, or onlabels which are attached to the commodities to be sold. The bar codesystem was developed mainly for what is called source marking, where thebar codes are directly printed on boxes and bags as they are produced.

Each character of a bar code is represented by two parallel dark barsand two light spaces, and a bar code is assembled by arranging the barsand spaces in side-by-side relation. In the symbol marks of theUniversal Product Codes established by American Supermarket Institute,the required length of a dark bar is about 23 mm, the breadth of onecharacter is 2.311 mm and the tolerance of the breadth of the characteris ± 0.096 mm. Hence, a code must be printed with precision.

The bar codes appearing on the commodities are optically read when thegoods are purchased. This performs useful purposes in the administrationof sales, inventory and store managing. In order to read the bar codeswith an optical character reading means, the bar codes must be printedprecisely.

Since factories can install precise and large-scale printing machinesfor a source marking system, they can do precise bar code printing.However, it is impractical to install large printing machines forprinting bar codes in shop fronts and supermarkets. Therefore, labelprinting machines which are able to print bar codes on labels in a storeand attach the printed labels to commodities in the store are eagerlydesired.

In known printing machines of this type, the outside of a cylindricaldrum carries types for printing several bar code characters. The drum isrotated to shift the desired type to the print position. The type isthen pressed against a label strip. A carbon-polyethylene ribbon isinterposed between the type and the label strip. A length of thecarbon-polyethylene ribbon of the same length as the label is consumedin every printing. The above type of printing machine is not widelyused, because it has the following disadvantages:

a. Printing speed is low.

b. Printing cost is high.

c. Large logical circuits and driving members are required for rotatingand selecting a drum at every printing.

d. The size and weight of the machine are quite large and the machinecannot be easily carried.

e. The printing machine is expensive.

As a result of the foregoing problems, bar code printing at stores andshops was tried using the conventional printing machines that are usedfor printing the prices and other information about commodities on thelabels for the commodities. However, precise printing of bar codes onthe label strips was not attainable with these conventional machines.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a portable,small size printing machine for precisely printing indicia on labelstrips.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing machinewhich is able to print bar codes on label strips, rapidly and with greatprecision.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a printingmachine with a simple operating mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a printingmachine in which the printed label strip can be easily wound.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a printingmachine in which a winding device for winding a printed label strip canbe both mechanically and electrically connected to the body of theprinting machine in a single operation.

To realize the above objects, a printing machine according to thepresent invention comprises: a holder for supporting a rolled labelstrip; a printing device for printing desired indicia on the labelstrip; a platen for supporting and pressing the label strip against thetype face of the printing device; and an advancing device for advancingthe label strip a distance of one label length in each printing cycle.

The printing machine has a detachable winding device for winding aprinted label strip. The winding device includes a reel which is rotatedby a motive power source through a friction clutch. Furthermore, themechanical connection and electrical connections to the winding deviceare simultaneously established when the winding device is attached tothe printing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational, cross sectional view of the printingmachine with the controlling section of the machine removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the parts of the printing machine involved inthe application of ink to a printing device;

FIG. 4 is a view of the printing machine similar to that of FIG. 3, inwhich a platen is pressed against the printing device;

FIG. 5 is a view of the printing machine similar to that of FIG. 3,showing the condition of the machine as advancing of a label stripbegins just after the printing of a label;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the main part of the printing machine;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the printing machine showing therelationship among the printing device, a platen and a platen liftingdevice;

FIG. 8 is a view of the printing machine similar to that of FIG. 7, inwhich the platen is pressed against the printing device;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the printing machine showing the main portionof the passage for the label strip;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9, in which the platen ispressed against the printing device;

FIG. 11 is a partly cut-away plan view of the main portion of thepassage for the label strip;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the passage taken along the lineXII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cutting device which is used with theprinting machine;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an inking device and an ink supplying deviceused with the printing machine;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the inking device and ink supplying deviceshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a label strip windingdevice taken on its center line;

FIG. 17 is a partly cut away plan view of the label strip windingdevice;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the shaft portion of the labelstrip winding device taken on the line XVIII in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a partly cut away side view of the connecting portions of theprinting machine and the label strip winding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the inventionis now described. The complete machine is described with reference toFIG. 1; a printing device, is described with reference to FIG. 2; aninking device, platen lifting device, strip advancing device and theirdriving mechanism, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; theadvancing of a label strip, to FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12; a cutting device,to FIG. 13; an ink supplying device, to FIGS. 14 and 15; and a stripwinding device, to FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19.

The Complete Machine

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus comprises a printing machine 1 forprinting a label strip or the like, a winding device 4 detachablymounted on the printing machine 1 and a controlling section 3. Theprinting machine 1 and the controlling section 3 are integrally attachedside-by-side. A grip 2 is fixed to the controlling section 3 by whichthis combination can be carried.

The controlling section 3 has an operating panel 31 which is providedwith a set counter 32 for setting the quantity of labels to be printed,an indicator 33 for indicating the number of labels thus far printed, apower switch 34, a change-over switch 35 for changing between manual andautomatic operations, an operation starting button 36, a reset button37, an operation stop button 38 and a pilot lamp 39 for a power source.

On the rear portion of the printing machine 1, there is mounted a reel101 which carries a rolled, blank label strip 5. A sight window 102 isformed on the front portion of the printing machine 1. The indicia 257to be printed can be observed through the window 102. Below the sightwindow 102 is a delivery opening 103 through which a printed label strip5' is delivered. A strip winding device attaching slot 104 is formedbeneath the opening 103. A strip winding device 4 is detachably securedto slot 104. A label printing device 106, of the type shown in mycopending application Ser. No. 678,761, filed Apr. 21, 1976, entitled"Printing Heads for Portable Labeling Machine, or the Like" is employed.A knob 105 is attached on the side wall of printing machine 1. This knob105 is laterally slidable on its support axis and is rotated forselecting the type 107 to be printed.

The strip winding device 4 is provided with an attaching piece 401 whichis received in the attaching slot 104 of the printing machine 1. A guidechannel 402 is formed above the attaching piece 401. Channel 402receives the label strip that is delivered from the delivery opening103. A reel 403 in front of the guide channel 402 has the printed labelstrip 5' wound around it manually or automatically.

Printing Machine

Referring to FIG. 2, the printing machine 1 comprises a printing device106 which is mounted on the machine frame 119 for printing bar codes onthe label strip 5, an inking device 108 for applying ink to the bar codetype face 107' of the printing device 106, an ink supplying device 109(cf. FIG. 14) for supplying ink to the inking device 108, a reel 101 forcarrying the rolled label strip 5 to be printed, a label strip guidingdevice 110 for guiding the label strip 5 from the reel 101 to a positionunder the printing device 106, a platen 111 for raising and pressing thepart of the label strip 5 under the printing device 106 against the barcode type face 107', a platen lifting device 112 for vertically movingthe platen 111, a label strip advancing device 113 for moving the labelstrip 5 over one label length at each printing operation, a cuttingdevice 120 for cutting a printed label strip 5' from the blank strip 5at a desired point, a first link mechanism 114 for reciprocating theinking device 108, a second link mechanism 115 for vertically moving theplaten 111 by means of the platen lifting device 112, a third linkmechanism 117 for reciprocating the advancing pawl 116 of the labelstrip advancing device 113 forwardly and backwardly, and a cam mechanism118 for driving in sequence the first, second and third link mechanisms.

The application of ink to the bar code types, the printing on the labelstrip and the advancing of the label strip are performed by a singlerotation of the cam 142 of the cam mechanism 118. When the magnet 250attached on the cam 142 makes a single revolution with cam 142, a relay251 is actuated by the magnet 250 to indicate the completion of a cycleand to cause appropriate below described action.

Inking Device, Platen Lifting Device, Advancing Device and Mechanismsfor Driving These Devices

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the means that drives all ofthe below described devices is the generally circular rotatable cam 142which has a generally circular profile but has a notched recess 165provided for reasons described below.

The inking device 108 comprises inking rollers 122 and a brush 123 whichare replaceably fitted into a holder 121. The inking rollers 122 are ofthe cartridge type. The lugs 126 of the inking rollers 122 are fitted inthe slots 125 that are formed in the side walls 124 of the holder 121.When the inking rollers 122 are to be detached, a pinch piece 127 ispulled, and this pushes apart the side walls 124, widening slots 125 andenabling removal of the rollers 122.

Like the inking rollers 122, the brush 123 is replaceably attached toholder 121. The brush follows the movement of inking rollers 122. Afterevery inking of the inking rollers 122, the brush 123 cleans the faces,bevels and counters of the selected bar code types 107, which arearranged to form the type face 107'. The brush 123 is formed from hairshaving diameters smaller than the dark bar or light space of a bar codeand the hairs are set in bunches. Since great precision in the barthicknesses in bar codes is required, the brushing of the types removesall residue which might interfere with bar code appearance.

Rollers 128 are pivotally mounted on the outsides of the side walls 124of the holder 121. The rollers 128 are separate from inking rollers 122.Rollers 128 are in engagement with the elongated guide grooves 129 thatare formed on the machine frames 119. The inking device 108 isaccurately guided in its movement along the guide grooves 129.

On the side of the holder 121 opposite the pinch piece 127, lugs 131having holes 130 therein are formed. A rocking shaft 132 is insertedinto the holes 130.

The inking device 108 is reciprocatingly moved along grooves 129 bymeans of the roller 136, which is attached on the cam mechanism 118engaging and coacting with the first link mechanism 114. Link mechanism114 is comprised of links 133 and 134 and a lever 135, with identicalsets of such elements at opposite sides of the frames 119. The upper,left hand ends of the links 133 are pivotally attached to the upperportions of machine frames 119 by fixed pins 137. At the other ends ofthe links 133 are formed the elongated slots 138. Slots 138 provide playto accommodate the pivotal motion of links 133 while inking device 108moves more in a straight line. Intermediate the fixed pins 137 and theslots 138, the spaced apart links 133 are joined together by a shaft139.

The links 134 and the lever 135 are rigidly affixed together to movetogether. They are pivotally attached to a shaft 140 that is affixed inframes 119. Those ends of the links 134 that are near to the links 133are formed with slots 141, in which the shaft 139, which is attached tothe links 133, is inserted. Slots 141 allow play to accommodate thediffering directions of motion of links 134 and 133. (Cf. FIGS. 3 and4.)

The lever 135 extends rearwardly of the machine 1 along the side of thecam 142. The rear end of the lever 135 projects beyond the machineframes 119. Near its rear end, the lever 135 has a hole 143, from whicha tensioned coil spring 144 is suspended. In this manner, the lever 135is normally urged clockwise. The lowest or most clockwise position towhich the lever 135 may be pivoted is fixed by the upper surface of astopper 145 that is attached to the side wall of a machine frame 119.The underside of the lever 135 between the fixed pivot shaft 140 and thehole 143 is normally urged by spring 144 to a position within the rangeof rotational motion of the roller 136 that is pivotally supported onthe cam 142. When the cam 142 is rotated, the under side of the lever135 is lifted up by the roller 136 and this turns the lever 135counterclockwise against the force of the spring 144.

After the roller 136 is rotated clockwise past its uppermost position bythe cam 142, the lever 135 is pivoted clockwise by spring 144 until itis stopped by the stopper 145 with the underside of lever 135 resting onthe upper surface of the stopper 145. Thereafter, the contact betweenthe lever 135 and the roller 136 is discontinued until the nextrotational cycle. In a single rotational cycle, the links 134 are rockedabout the fixed shaft 140, through the sequence shown in FIGS. 2-5. Withsuch rocking motion, the links 133 are also moved. In this manner, theinking device 108 is reciprocated along the guide grooves 129.Reciprocation of the inking device 108 causes the bar code type faces107' to be inked by the inking rollers 122 and causes the types to becleaned by the brush 123.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the platen 111 is fixedly carried on apositioning bed 146. Referring to FIG. 6, the lower middle portion ofthe positioning bed 146 is cut out and the rear lower parts of bed 146on both sides thereof are cut away. The under surface of bed 14 isreceived on the base 147 attached to the machine frames 119. The uncutsurfaces at both sides of the front portion of bed 146 are guided forvertical reciprocation by guide plates 148 attached to the base 147. Apost 149 is affixed on the underside of the positioning bed 146, belowthe middle of the type face 107'. The post guides the vertical movementof bed 146. The post 149 passes through a bearing 150 without lateralplay. Bearing 150 is carried by a supporting memeber 168 that isattached to the base 147. Since the post 149 moves without play throughbearing 150, the positioning bed 146 and platen 111 also move verticallywithout play.

Those cut-away portions of bed 146 at the lateral sides of post 149carry projecting pins 152 (FIG. 6), each of which supports a respectiveroller 151. The interconnected platen 111, positioning bed 146 and post149 are all vertically moved together by the motion of the second linkmechanism 115 with which the rollers 151 are in engagement.

Link mechanism 115 is now described. It comprises two identical sets ofelements spaced apart in the machine. Elongated slots 154, which receivethe platen bed rollers 151, are formed at the front portions of links153. The slots 154 are elongated to accommodate the different types ofmotion of bed 146 and links 153. The rear portions of the links 153 arepivotally attached to the machine frames 119 by a fixed shaft 155. Onthe links 153 to the rear of the fixed shaft 155, a lever 156 isintegrally formed. At the rear end of the lever 156 is attached anengaging piece 157, which is urged in the clockwise direction around thefixed shaft 155 by tension spring 158. A supporting screw 167 (FIG. 4)is attached to the base 147 below the lever 156 and the screw 167 holdsthe lower end of the spring 158. Adjusting of the position of screw 167varies the tension of spring 158. The base 147 under the lever 156 isprovided with an adjusting device 159 for controlling the lower stopposition of the lever 156. The adjusting device 159 includes the screw161 which is attached to the base 147. Screw 161 engages the restingface 160 of the lever 156 and by this engagement, the screw determinesthe stop position of the lever 156. By adjustment of the tension of thespring 158 and by adjustment of the screw 161 of the adjusting device159, the angle and force of turning of the lever 156 and links 153 canbe adjusted. In this manner, the pressure of platen 111 against the typeface 107' is controlled.

The fixed shaft 155 extends to the machine frame 119 on the side of thecontrolling section 3. A bell crank 162 is integrally attached to theshaft 155. The upper end of the vertical arm of the bell crank 162 has aroller 163 pivotally attached to it. The front end of the horizontal armof the bell crank is provided with a pin 164. The pin 164 functions inthe advancing of the label strip, as described below. The roller 163 isin engagement with the outer surface of the cam 142. The bell crank 162is rocked by its roller 163 moving into and then out of the recess 165of the cam 142. With this rocking motion, the lever 156 and links 153,under the tension of spring 158, are rocked. Thus, the platen 111 ispressed against the type face 107'. After the roller 163 on bell crank162 has been received within the recess 165 of the cam 142, the bellcrank 162 is pushed back to its former position by the roller 255 on theside of cam 142 and by the outer surface of the cam 142. Meanwhile, thepin 164 attached to the bell crank 162 raises the tip 197 of belowdescribed hook 166 and this keeps the label strip advancing pawl 116 atthe advanced position.

The label strip advancing pawl 116 is attached to the pin 172 and thispin is attached to the front portion of holder 169. The tip ends 170 ofthe pawl 116 are urged clockwise by a spring (not shown) so as to bedirected upwardly. The pawl 116 is supported by an inclined surface 171(FIG. 2) which is part of the holder 169. The position of this inclinedsurface 171 is adjusted in the forward and backward directions (notshown) so as to control the inclination of the label strip advancingpawl 116. The holder 169 has a shaft 173 (FIGS. 2 and 5) at its rearportion and has rectangular projections 169a (FIG. 5) on both of itssides. Holder guide plates 174 (FIGS. 4-6) are spaced apart and areintegral with the supporting member 168. Plates 174 are provided withguide grooves 175, which receive the rectangular projections 169a of theholder 169 and guide the holder 169 in horizontal, longitudinal motion.

The holder 169 and the advancing pawl 116 it carries are reciprocatedhorizontally by the third link mechanism 117. The holder 169 isconnected to the third link mechanism 117 by a pawl feed lever 176 (FIG.6), pawl feed position adjusting device 177 and another pawl feed lever178. The end portion of the pawl feed lever 176 opposite to the holder169 is bent to form a bent down portion 179, which is provided with abolt 180 (FIG. 6). An adjusting member 182 is screwed onto bolt 180 andthen the pawl feed lever 178 is loosely fitted on bolt 180. Next, a knob181 having a neck portion 200 is screwed onto the bolt 180. Now, thepawl feed lever 178, which is loosely fitted on the bolt 180, is tightlyheld between the screwed on adjusting member 182 and the knob 181. Theposition of the bolt 180 is moved by loosening the screws of adjustingmember 182 or knob 181. This correspondingly positions the pawl feedlever 176, the holder 169 and the label strip advancing pawl 116.

The pawl feed lever 178 extends outside the machine frame 119 on theside of the controlling section 3 (FIG. 6). Once outside frame 119, thepawl feed lever 178 is bent rearwardly and runs parallel to the machineframe 119 (FIGS. 5 and 6) in the portion that is under the roller 136that is pivotally attached to the cam 142. Near the adjusting member182, the pawl feed lever 178 is provided with a catch piece 183 which isengageable with the pawl 198 of the hook 166. A pin 184 projects fromthe side of the lever 178 toward the controlling section 3 and pin 184is movable with lever 178. Another similar pin 185 is fixed on a portionof the lever 178 below the cam 142.

Lever 178 has a downwardly depending rear portion (FIG. 5). Near the pin185, an inclined slot 186 is formed in the rear portion of lever 178. Aguide plate 187 for guiding the pawl feed lever 178 is fixed to a baseplate 188 (FIGS. 2, 3, 7 and 8). Slots 189 and 190 are formed in theguide plate 187 for receiving the pin 194 and the pin 185, respectively.By this pin in slot engagement, the pawl feed lever 178 is guided formotion in the horizontal, longitudinal direction. Rearwardly of the slot190, a pin 191 (FIG. 3) is fixed on guide plate 187. A coil tensionspring 192 is attached between stationary pin 191 and feed lever pin184. Thus, the pawl feed lever 178 is pulled to the right in thedirection to retract the label advancing pawl 116.

The upper end of a link 193 (FIGS. 2-5) is pivoted to the machine frame119 by a fixedly located shaft 194. There is a pin 195 at the lower endof link 193, which pin is inserted in the slot 186 of the pawl feedlever 178. The middle portion of the link 193 is positioned within therange of a part of the rotational motion of the roller 136 of the cam142.

The above-mentioned hook 166 (FIGS. 2-6) is pivotally attached at anunnumbered pivot at the left of hook 166 to the machine frame 119. Hook166 is urged down or clockwise by a coil spring 196. The right hand,free tip end 197 of the hook 166 engages the pin 164 of the bell crank162. With the movement of the pin 164 and the bell crank, the hook 166is rocked. When the pawl 198 is in engagement with the catch piece 183,the retraction of pawl feed lever 178 by the force of coil spring 192 isprevented. The motion of the bell crank 162, timed by cam 142 and itsrecess 165, thus controls the engagement of pawl 198 and catch piece183.

When the tip end 197 of the hook 166 is pushed up by the pin 164 of thebell crank 162, which is caused by the pivoting of the bell crank 162under the influence of the rotation of the cam 142, the pawl 198 isreleased from the catch piece 183. Thus, the pawl feed lever 178 isretracted by the force of coil spring 192 which accompanies theretraction of the advancing pawl 116. When the link 193 is engaged andthen pushed by the roller 136 on the clockwise rotating cam 142, thelink 193 is rocked clockwise on the shaft 194. The pawl feed lever 178is pushed by the pin 195 at the lower end of link 193 in the directionof the hook 166. Thus the advancing pawl 116 is moved forward. Thetranslational motion of pin 195 is absorbed by its moving through slot186. Further, due to advance of feed lever 178, the pawl 198 is caughtby the catch piece 183. The subsequent retraction of the pawl feed lever178 and its interlocked parts can be prevented until the hook 166 islifted.

The furthest retracted position of the pawl feed lever 178 isestablished by adjusting the screw 254 of a rear positioning member 199(FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). The lower end of the coil spring 144 is attached onthe upper face of the positioning member 199. This pulls down the lever135 of the first link mechanism 114.

Passage for the Label Strip

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12, the label strip passage comprises afirst guide frame 201 for guiding the label strip 5 as it is fed fromthe reel 101, another guide frame 202 for guiding the label strip 5 fromthe first guide frame 201 to the positioning bed 146 and the positioningbed 146 which is moved vertically relative to the bar code type face107' of the printing device 106. The printed label strip 5' fed off thepositioning bed 146 is led over the lower blade 203 of the cuttingdevice 120 and from the cutting device to a delivery opening 103.

The lower frame 204 of the guide frame 201 is fixed to the machineframes 119. Frame 204 has an upper side that carries a label strip guide205 and a slack preventing leaf spring 206. The middle portion of theleaf spring 206 above the guide 205 is cut out to form a window 207. Therear, right hand portion of the spring is curved around forwardly so asto facilitate the passage of the label strip 5 and to relieve thetension of the label strip 5 that is caused when it is abruptlystretched. A non-reversing roller 208 having a one directional(clockwise in FIG. 9) rotary clutch is pressed downwardly through thewindow 207 toward the upper surface of the lower frame 204. When thelabel strip 5 is inserted beneath spring 206, a knob 209, which iscoaxial with the roller 208 and is exposed on the side of a machineframe 119, is turned. The roller 208 is attached to the machine frames119 by a lever 210 that is pivotally connected on frame 119. The lever210 usually urges roller 208 down to the lower frame 204 under theinfluence of a spring (not shown).

As described above, the middle portion of the positioning bed 146 is cutout and the bed 146 is supported by the post 149 so as to be movedvertically. Under the bar code type face 107' to be printed, the platen111 is attached to the positioning bed 146. Slots 211 are formed in therear portion of the platen 111. At the rear portion of platen 111, alabel strip hold down member 212 is attached. A rebound leaf spring 213is fitted over the hold down member 212. Spring 213 extends to theplaten 111. Leaf spring 213 is cut out at its portion above the platen111 to form a window 214, through which the label strip 5 placed on theplaten 111 is printed.

The tip ends 170 of label strip advancing pawl 116 project up throughthe slots 211. The tip ends 170 engage the perforations of the portionof the label strip 5 that is being carried between the positioning bed146 and the hold down member 212. The hold down member 212 above theslots 211 has grooves 215 in its lower surface which grooves are alignedwith the slots 211 and receive the tip ends 170 of the label stripadvancing pawl 116. This enables the engagement between the tip ends 170and the perforations of label strip 5.

At both sides of the middle portion of hold down member 212, engagingpieces 216 are formed on the lower sides of member 212 and a pair ofholding lugs 217 are formed on the upper sides of member 212. The holddown member 212 is attached to the positioning bed 146 by means of theengaging pieces 216 fitting over the edges of bed 146. Member 212 isattached to and can be disengaged from the positioning bed 146 bypinching the holding lugs 217. Therefore, different label strip holddown members 212 can be selected according to the width of the labelstrip 5.

At the rear end of the positioning bed 146, the guide frame 202 ispivotally connected to bed 146 by means of a pivot shaft 259. Slots 258are formed in the rear end of guide frame 202. The shaft 218 that isattached to the guide frame 201 passes through the slots 258 therebyconnecting the guide frames. The slots 258 provide sufficient playbetween guide frames 201, 202 that the positioning bed 146 can be movedvertically.

Above the guide frame 202, a felt holder spring 219 is pivoted onprojections 220. The position of spring 219 is determined by projections220. A holder plate 222 having a sheet of felt 221 applied on itsunderside, is detachably secured at the free end of the spring 219. Thefelt 221 removes the foreign substances such as paper waste and talcused in the paper manufacture from the surface of the label strip 5. Theholder plate 222 is provided with a handle 223 on its upper side. Whenthe holder plate 222 and/or the felt 221 thereon are changed, the handle223 is pulled up by an operator inserting his hand through the window224 (FIG. 2) formed on the frame 119. The engagement of the holder plate222 with the projections 220 is released.

Cutting Device

Referring to FIG. 13, there is a support frame 225 for the cuttingdevice. A lower blade 203 is attached to a portion of the frame 225 nearthe positioning bed 146. An upper blade 226 is attached to rockinglevers 229 and 230 which are pivoted to the frame 225 by means of therespective pins 227 and 228. The rocking lever 229 extends down fromblade 226 beyond the pin 227. A pin 231 projects sideways from theextended portion of lever 229. Another pin 232 is attached to the frame225. A tensioned coil spring 233 extends between the pins 232 and 231,thereby urging the lever 229 counterclockwise. The rocking lever 230 isprovided with an integral operation rod 234. By manually rocking downthe head 235 of the operating rod 234, the rocking levers 229 and 230are pivoted around the pins 227 and 228 against the tension of the coilspring 233. The edge of the upper blade 226 is pressed toward the edgeof the lower blade 203 so as to cut the printed label strip 5'. Therocking levers 229 and 230 are positioned inside the machine frames 119while the operating rod 234 is positioned outside the frame 119 on theside thereof opposite to the controlling section 3 so as to be availableto be operated easily.

Ink Supplying Device

The printing of the bar codes must be done precisely. It is necessary toapply ink uniformly on the inking rollers 122. The ink supplying deviceof FIGS. 14 and 15 applies ink uniformly on the inking rollers 122. Thedevice comprises: an ink supplying roller 236, a rocking frame 237 whichcarries the ink supplying rollers 236 pivotally connected at one end offrame 237, a motor 238 and a belt 239 for transmitting the rotation ofmotor 238 to the ink supplying roller 236. When the inking device 108 isretracted and stopped, the ink supplying roller 236 rests between theinking rollers 122.

On the outside of the rocking frame 237, the ink supplying roller 236 isprovided with a coaxial pulley 240. The rocking frame 237 is pivotallyattached to a lug 242 of a fixed plate 241 by a screw 256 and the frameis urged counterclockwise in FIG. 15 by a spring 243 that is stretchedbetween the rocking frame 237 and the lug 242. An electric motor 238 isattached to the rocking frame 237 and fixed plate 241 is interposedbetween motor 238 and frame 237.

A window 244 is formed in the fixed plate 241. Rocking plate 237 passesthrough window 244. The endless belt 239 extends through window 244between the pulley 240 on roller 236 and the pulley 245 on the motor238. By this means, the ink supplying roller 236 is continuously rotatedby the motor 238.

The rocking frame 237 carries a screw 246 which engages the fixed plate241. The pressure of the ink supplying roller 236 against the inkingrollers 122 is regulated by rotation of the screw 246. In this manner,excessive pressure of the ink supplying roller 236 against the inkingrollers 122 can be prevented.

The ink supplying device is detachably fixed to the machine frames 119by bolts 247 having manually operable knobs 248. Thus, the replacementof the ink supplying roller 236 can be easily carried out.

Label Strip Winding Device

Referring to FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19, the label strip winding device 4is detachably mounted on the printing machine 1. The printing machine 1is provided with an attaching slot 104 beneath the label strip deliveryopening 103. The winding device attaching piece 401 is formed below thelabel strip guide channel 402 of the winding device 4. In order to makean electrical connection of the winding device simultaneously with themechanical attachment of the winding device 4 to the printing machine 1,the attaching slot 104 is provided with a socket 252, from whichelectric wires 253 are introduced into the controlling section 3.

The winding device 4 includes a cooperating electric plug 404 in theattaching piece 401. The locations of the socket and the plug can beexchanged as between machine 1 and winding device 4. The frame body 405forms the label strip guide channel 402. Body 405 is provided on oneside face with a frame member 406 and a U-shaped member 407 is attachedto another side of the frame body 405. A motor 408 is built in the framebody 405. A rubber roller 409 and a coaxial rotatable pulley 410 arepivotally attached to the U-shaped member 407. The drive shaft 411 ofthe motor 408 is moved into frictional contact with the rubber roller409 and the rotating shaft 411 drives the roller 409 and the pulley 410.The other end of the frame member 406 is provided with a label stripwinding reel 403 and a coaxial shaft 414 supporting reel 403. Shaft 414has a clutch plate 413 with a felt member 412 at its end. The shaft 414additionally carries a disk 416 which supports a compression coil spring415 on one side thereof. At its other side, spring 415 presses uponpulley 417. A pulley 417 is interposed between the disk 416 and theclutch plate 413. An endless belt 428 is fitted between the pulley 417and the other pulley 410 at the motor. This transmits the rotation ofthe motor 408 to the pulley 417. The coil spring 415 presses the sideface of the pulley 417 against the surface of felt member 412. Thus, therotation of the pulley 417 is transmitted to the clutch plate 413. Whena selected degree of force to retard its rotation is applied to theclutch plate 413, the clutch plate 413, the shaft 414 attached to theclutch plate 413 and the reel 403 are not rotated. However, the pulley417 continues to rotate as the contact surfaces slip together. Thedegree of slippage depends upon the spring force of the coil spring 415.This can be regulated by adjusting the nut 418 which draws shaft 414 outof pulley 417. The frame member 406 and the elements carried thereon areenclosed by cover 427.

The reel 403 comprises a cylindrical tubular shaft 419 and side plates420 and 421. The side plate 420 and the shaft 419 are securely affixedto the shaft 414. Radially inwardly extending projections 422 are formedon the inner surface of the cylindrical shaft 419 near the side plate421. The side plate 421 is provided with a cylinder 423 which is sizedto extend into and engage the interior walls of shaft 419 and this fitsthe plate 421 to the shaft 419. At the other side of plate 421,concentric with shaft 419, there is a knob 424. The circumferentialsurface of the cylinder 423 has recesses 425 so placed that when thecylinder 423 is fitted into the shaft 419, the side plate 421 is fixedto the shaft 419 by the engagement between the recesses 425 and theprojections 422.

The opposed surfaces of the side plates 420 and 421 carry respectiveleaf springs 426, which are attached near the peripheries of the sideplates 420 and 421 and gradually bend toward each other as they extendradially inwardly. The distance between the free radially inward ends ofboth leaf springs 426 is narrower than the breadth of the label strip5'. Thus, at the start of the winding, the label strip 5' is caughtbetween the leaf springs 426 on the side plate 420 and the leaf springs426 on the side plate 421.

The label strip 5' is wound on the shaft 419 by rotation of the reel403. When a predetermined tension is imparted to the label strip 5'after it has been wound on the shaft 419, slippage occurs between thepulley 417 and the felt member 412. Rotation of the reel 403 thenceases.

Operation

A rolled label strip 5 is attached to the reel 101. The front end of thestrip 5 is introduced into the clearance space between the lower frame204 and the leaf spring 206. The label strip 5 is then passed under thenon-reversing roller 208. By rotation of the knob 209, The label strip 5is advanced by the roller 208 to the felt 221. Then an operator insertshis hand through the window 224 of the machine frame 119 and pulls upthe handle 223 together with the spring 219 and felt 221. The labelstrip 5 is passed under the felt 221 and into the space between thepositioning bed 146 and the hold down member 212. Then the label strip 5is passed between the platen 111 and the rebound spring 213, therebysetting the label strip for printing.

While the operator watches the indicia 257 through the sight window 102,the bar code types 107 are selected by rotating the knob 105.

Further, the label strip winding device 4 is mechanically andelectrically attached to the printing machine 1 by inserting theattaching piece 401 into the attaching slot 104.

The changeover switch 35 is switched to cause manual operation, thepower switch 34 is turned on and the starting button 36 is pushed so asto perform a trial printing on the label strip 5. If this trial printinggives a satisfactory result with desired accuracy, the changeover switch35 is switched to automatic operation, and this drives the electricmotor 408 of the label strip winding device 4 and rotates the reel 403.Then the desired number of bar code labels to be printed is set on theset counter 32. Automatic printing is started by pushing the startbutton 36.

The front end of printed label strip 5' of a certain length can beautomatically wound on the cylindrical shaft 419 by putting the frontend between the leaf springs 426 of the reel 403. The springs will drawthe strip 5' along as the reel rotates.

When it is desired to stop the automatic printing partway through acount, for example, in case the precision of the printing becomesunsatisfactory, further printing is stopped by pushing the stop button38. Once the number of labels that has been set on the set counter 32has been printed, further printing is automatically stopped. The numberof labels that has been printed is indicated on the indicator 33. Whenthe number appearing on the indicator 33 is to be reset, the resetbutton 37 is depressed.

After the desired number of labels has been printed, the power switch 34is turned off and the head 235 on the operation rod 234 of cuttingdevice 120 is pushed down so as to cut the printed label strip 5' fromthe blank label strip 5. Then the side plate 421 of the reel 403 istaken off and the printed label strip 5' is removed from the cylindricalshaft 419.

The operation of the printing machine 1 is now described. When the labelstrip 5 is loaded and the cam 142 is rotated by the drive of motor 249,the lever 135 is raised by the roller 136 on the cam 142. The links 134are moved by the turning of the lever 135. The links 133 in engagementwith the slots 141 of the links 134 by shaft 139, pivot on the fixedshaft 137. During this movement, the links 133 push forward the rockingshaft 132 which has the slots 138. This moves the inking device 108below the printing device 106.

The rollers 128 attached on both sides of the holder 121 are guided inthe guide grooves 129. The inking rollers 122 of the inking device 108move past and apply ink to the type face 107'. In the same sweepingmotion of device 108, the brush 123 cleans the type face 107' (FIG. 3).

The roller 136 is rotated by cam 142 into engagement with and past lever135, which pivots that lever around pivot 140. After the roller 136passes the point at which it has raised the lever 135 to its highestlevel, the lever 135 begins to descend by pivoting clockwise under thetension of the spring 144. Upon this descent of lever 135, the inkingdevice 108, links 133 and the other links 134 are moved back to theposition shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The cam 142 continues rotating. Whenthe recess 165 of the cam 142 reaches the roller 163 of the bell crank162, the bell crank 162, lever 156 and links 153 are all pivotedclockwise about the fixed shaft 155 under the influence of the tensionspring 158. The links 153 raise the rollers 151 which have the slots154. This vertically raises the positioning bed 146 and the platen 111and the support post 149 for this is guided by the bearing 150. In thismanner, the label strip 5 carried on the platen 111 is printed with barcodes. As the platen is raised, it also moves free of label stripadvancing pawl 116, 170.

After the printing, further rotation of the cam 142 causes the roller163 to be pushed from the recess 165. The bell crank 162, the lever 156and the links 153 are all turned counterclockwise around the fixed shaft155 against the force of the spring 158. In this manner, the platen 111and the positioning bed 146 are lowered.

At the same time as the roller 163 of the bell crank 162 is beingreceived in the recess 165 of the cam 142, the tip end 197 of the hook166 is being raised by the pin 164 of the bell crank 162 against theforce of the coil spring 196. By such action of hook 166, the pawl 198of the hook 166 is released from the catch piece 183. This releases thepawl feed levers 176 and 178 to be moved backward by the coil spring192. The holder 169 is also being retracted along the guide grooves 175.The label strip advancing pawl 116 is retracted for a distance greaterthan one label length along the slots 211. The pin 195 is moved rearwardby the slots 186 with the movement of the pawl feed lever 178 as thelink 193 is turned counterclockwise on the shaft 194.

When the roller 163 is pushed out of the recess 165 of the cam 142, thehook 166 is pulled clockwise and down by the coil spring 196 and thepawl 198 shifts into position to engage the catch piece 183. When thecam 142 is further rotated, the link 193 is turned clockwise by thepushing action of the roller 136. The pin 195 is moved forward in theslot 186 and it pushes the pawl feed lever 178 forward.

By such forward movement, the positioning bed 146 is fully lowered. Thetip ends 170 of the label strip advancing pawl 116 are received throughthe slots 211. The label strip 5, which is held between the positioningbed 146 and the hold down member 212, is advanced by the engagementbetween the advancing pawl 116 and the perforations in the label strip5. When the pawl feed lever 178 is fully advanced by the link 193 andthe roller 136, the catch piece 183 engages the pawl 198 of the hook166. Thus, the pawl feed lever 178 is kept at its advanced positionuntil the hook 166 is pushed up by the pin 164 of the bell crank 162.The label strip advancing pawl 116 which is connected to the pawl feedlever 178 is also stopped at its forward position.

The relay 251 is actuated by the magnet 250 after a single rotation ofthe cam 142, which is the completion of one printing cycle. Under manualoperation, the machine stops at the completion of a cycle until thestarting button 38 is pushed. In automatic operation, the completedprinting cycle is recorded in the indicator 33, while the next printingcycle is starting.

The present invention has the following advantages.

(1) Although the printing machine of the present invention is smallsized and portable, precise printing on label strips can be performed.

(2) The printing of bar codes on label strips can be performed rapidlybut precisely and at small cost.

(3) The printed label strips can be wound up.

(4) The winding device for winding a printed label strip can besimultaneously mechanically and electrically attached to and detachedfrom the printing machine by a respective single operation.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with apreferred embodiment thereof, many variations and modifications will nowbecome apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore,that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosureherein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing machine for feeding and printinglabels, or the like, which are arranged in strip form, said machinecomprising:a machine body having a forward and a rearward end and havingan exit and an entrance at said forward and said rearward ends,respectively; a holder for a rolled strip of labels, or the like; saidholder being mounted at said body rearward end near said entrance; apassage for a label strip, said passage extending through said body fromsaid rearward to said forward ends; a printing device for printingindicia on labels, or the like; said printing device being supported insaid body above said passage; types in said printing device facingtoward said passage and defining a type face; a platen in said body inopposed relationship to said type face and normally positioned belowsaid passage; platen raising means connected with said platen forselectively raising said platen toward and against said type face andacross said passage, and for thereafter lowering said platen to its saidnormal position; a strip advancing device in said body for advancing thestrip of labels, or the like, along said passage toward said body exit;said advancing device comprising a pawl projecting into said passage forengaging said strip, and reciprocating means for reciprocating said pawlalong said passage; means for coordinating the motion of said platen andsaid advancing device for causing said platen to shift to said type facewhile said pawl is not advancing the strip, for causing the pawl toretract rearwardly in said body while said platen is raised and forcausing said pawl to advance the strip while said platen is in its saidnormal position; a strip winding device for winding the strip of labels,or the like; said strip winding device being positioned near said bodyexit and being detachably mounted to said body; said winding deviceincluding a reel on which a strip may be wound; means for rotating saidreel for winding the strip on it, and a friction clutch connectionbetween said rotating means and said reel; said rotating means for saidreel is electrically operable, a connection to a source of electricpower for said rotating means and said connection being located in saidbody; a mechanical socket, also having an electric socket associatedwith it and said mechanical and electric socket being together locatedon one of said body and said winding device; a mechanical plug and alsohaving an electric plug associated with it being located on the other ofsaid body and said winding device; said mechanical and electric socketsand plugs being connectable such that said winding device ismechanically connected with said body simultaneously as said rotationmeans is electrically connected with said body; the one of said electricplug and said electric socket in said body being electrically connectedwith said connection to a source of electric power; the other of saidelectric plug and said electric socket in said winding device beingelectrically connected with said reel rotating means.
 2. A printingmachine for feeding and printing labels, or the like, which are arrangedin strip form, said machine comprising:a machine body having a forwardand a rearward end and having an exit and an entrance at said forwardand said rearward ends, respectively; a holder for a rolled strip oflabels, or the like; said holder being mounted at said body rearward endnear said entrance; a passage for a label strip, said passage extendingthrough said body from said rearward to said forward ends; a printingdevice for printing indicia on labels, or the like; said printing devicebeing supported in said body above said passage; types in said printingdevice facing toward said passage and defining a type face; a platen insaid body in opposed relationship to said type face and normallypositioned below said passage; platen raising means connected with saidplaten for selectively raising said platen toward and against said typeface and across said passage, and for thereafter lowering said platen toits said normal position; a strip advancing device in said body foradvancing the strip of labels, or the like, along said passage towardsaid body exit; said advancing device comprising a pawl projecting intosaid passage for engaging said strip, and reciprocating means forreciprocating said pawl along said passage; means for coordinating themotion of said platen and said advancing device for causing said platento shift to said type face while said pawl is not advancing the strip,for causing the pawl to retract rearwardly in said body while saidplaten is raised and for causing said pawl to advance the strip whilesaid platen is in its said normal position; said platen raising meanscomprises a first link means connected to said platen and shiftable toraise and lower said platen; said pawl reciprocating means comprises asecond link means connected to said pawl and shiftable to advance andretract said pawl along said passage; said coordinating means engagingand operating said first and said second link means to at a particulartime raise said platen to said type face and at the same time to retractsaid pawl, and at a later time to lower said platen to its said normalposition and at a still later time to advance said pawl; saidcoordinating means comprises a rotatable cam and a pivot in said body onwhich said cam is rotatably mounted; means for rotating said cam; firstand second link engaging means on said cam and positioned thereof forperiodically engaging said first and said second link means,respectively; said first and said second link means being positioned tobe periodically engaged by said first and said second link engagingmeans, respectively; said first and said second link engaging means ofsaid coordinating means being so positioned on said cam such that saidcoordinating means causes said platen and said pawl to move in therecited sequence.
 3. The printing machine of claim 2, wherein said firstlink means comprises a first pivotable link, a first pivot in said bodyon which said first pivotable link is pivotally mounted; said platenbeing connected to said first pivotable link to be pivoted thereby in afirst pivot direction toward said type face and in a second pivotdirection away from said type face;said second link means comprisingpawl shifting means to which said pawl is connected and for shifting anddirecting said pawl to move along said passage as said pawlreciprocates, and further comprising a second pivotable link connectedwith said pawl shifting means; a second pivot in said body on which saidsecond pivotable link is pivotally mounted such that pivoting of saidsecond link in a third pivot direction advances said pawl and pivotingof said second link in a fourth pivot direction retracts said pawl; saidfirst and said second link engaging means on said cam being so spacedapart and said first and said second links being so spaced apart thatsaid platen and said pawl move in the recited sequence.
 4. The printingmachine of claim 3, wherein said coordinating means further comprises ahook attached in said body and shiftable between a hooking position atwhich said hook engages and holds said pawl shifting means againstmotion of said pawl and a free position at which said hook is free ofsaid pawl and said pawl shifting means;said second cam link engagingmeans engages said second link to pivot same in said third direction tourge said pawl forward in said body; biasing means connected with saidpawl shifting means for normally biasing said pawl rearward in saidbody, such that when said hook is in its said free position, said pawlis biased rearwardly in said body; said hook and said first link beingso positioned that upon said platen being pivoted in its said firstdirection, said first link moves into engagement with said hook to movesaid hook into its said free position.
 5. A printing machine for feedingand printing labels, or the like, which are arranged in strip form, saidmachine comprising:a machine body having a forward and a rearward endand having an exit and an entrance at said forward and said rearwardends, respectively; a holder for a rolled strip of labels, or the like;said holder being mounted at said body rearward end near said entrance;a passage for a label strip, said passage extending through said bodyfrom said rearward to said forward ends; a printing device for printingindicia on labels, or the like; said printing device being supported insaid body above said passage; types in said printing device facingtoward said passage and defining a type face; a platen in said body inopposed relationship to said type face and normally positioned belowsaid passage; platen raising means connected with said platen forselectively raising said platen toward and against said type face andacross said passage, and for thereafter lowering said platen to its saidnormal position; a strip advancing device in said body for advancing thestrip of labels, or the like, along said passage toward said body exit;said advancing device comprising a pawl projecting into said passage forengaging said strip, and reciprocating means for reciprocating said pawlalong said passage; means for coordinating the motion of said platen andsaid advancing device for causing said platen to shift to said type facewhile said pawl is not advancing the strip, for causing the pawl toretract rearwardly in said body while said platen is raised and forcausing said pawl to advance the strip while said platen is in its saidnormal position; an inking device for inking said type face; means formoving said inking device to said type face to ink said type face, andfor moving said inking device away from said type face; saidcoordinating means being connected with said means for moving saidinking device so as to remove said inking device from said type facewhen said platen is moving against said type face; said platen raisingmeans comprises a first link means connected to said platen andshiftable to raise and lower said platen; said pawl reciprocating meanscomprises a second link means connected to said pawl and shiftable toadvance and retract said pawl along said passage; said means for movingsaid inking device comprises a third link means connected to said inkingdevice and shiftable to move said inking device in the recited manner;said coordinating means engaging and operating said first, second andthird link means to at a particular time raise said platen to said typeface and at the same time to retract said pawl and move said inkingdevice away from said type face, at a later time to lower said platenand to move said inking device to said type face, and at a still latertime to advance said pawl, while said platen is at its said normalposition; said coordinating means comprises a rotatable cam and a pivotin said body on which said cam is rotatably mounted; means for rotatingsaid cam; first, second and third link engaging means on said cam andpositioned for periodically engaging said first, second and third linkmeans, respectively; said first, second and third link means beingpositioned to be periodically engaged by said first, second and thirdlink engaging means, respectively; said first, second and third linkengaging means being so positioned on said cam such that saidcoordinating means causes said platen, said pawl and said inking deviceto move in the recited sequence.
 6. The printing machine of claim 5,wherein said first link means comprises a first pivotable link, a firstpivot in said body on which said first pivotable link is pivotallymounted; said platen being connected to said first pivotable link to bepivoted thereby in a first pivot direction toward said type face and ina second pivot direction away from said type face;said second link meanscomprising pawl shifting means to which said pawl is connected and forshifting and directing said pawl to move along said passage as said pawlreciprocates, and further comprising a second pivotable link connectedwith said pawl shifting means; a second pivot in said body on which saidsecond pivotable link is pivotally mounted such that pivoting of saidsecond link in a third pivot direction advances said pawl and pivotingof said second link in a fourth pivot direction retracts said pawl; saidthird link means comprises a third pivotable link in said body and athird pivot in said body on which said third pivotable link ispivotable; an arm for supporting said inking device being connected withsaid third link; said inking device and its said arm being connected tosaid third pivotable link so as to move said inking device to said typeupon pivoting of said third link in a fifth pivot direction and to movesaid inking device away from said type face upon pivoting of said thirdlink in a sixth pivot direction; said first, second and third linkengaging means on said cam being so spaced apart and said first, secondand third links being so spaced apart and being so positioned withrespect to their respective said link engaging means that said platen,said pawl and said inking device move in the recited sequence.
 7. Theprinting machine of claim 6, wherein said cam comprises a disk having anabutment that is formed thereon and is eccentric thereto and saidabutment comprising both of said second and said third cam link engagingmeans;said first cam link engaging means comprises a recess into theperiphery of said cam; said recess being spaced from said cam abutment;said first link being in engagement with said periphery of said cam andupon rotation of said recess to said first link, said first link alsothen being in engagement with said recess; said second and thirdpivotable links being so positioned that upon rotation of said cam, saidabutment engages said second and said third pivotable links and causesthe same to shift as said abutment circularly rotates; said first,second and third pivotable links being so arranged in sequence aroundsaid cam that said abutment first engages said third pivotable link toshift said inking device to ink said type face, then said recess engagesand then releases said first link means, and then said abutment engagessaid second link means.